LLUAHSC SCOPE Summer 2001 - Spanish language radio broadcast

LLU Medical Center sponsors Spanish language broadcast

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]

Castro/Arteaga-Hernandez
Daniel Castro, MD, internal medicine specialist, and Edna Arteaga-Hernandez, MD, a family medicine specialist, host the only weekly Spanish medical talk show in the Inland Empire.

Editor's note. The following article, written by Syeda Jafri, was reprinted with permission from the March 29, 2001, issue of El Chicano, an Inland Empire-based newspaper.

Forget the hassle of language barrier at the doctor's office. These physicians will give you medical advice in Spanish on a local radio station, and the best part of it is, you're not paying a cent for it.

Loma Linda University Medical Center's Cita Con Su Medico is the only weekly Spanish medical talk show in the Inland Empire.

Every Sunday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Spanish-speaking listeners can tune into radio Laser 101.7 FM, KXRS 105.7, and on Radio Tricolor KCAL 1410 AM and KZSS 590 AM.

Edna Arteaga-Hernandez, MD, a family medicine specialist and Daniel Castro, MD [assistant professor of medicine], internal medicine specialist, host the one-hour evening program geared towards Spanish-speaking participants and listeners.

"I feel that this show is a valuable educational tool for our Hispanic community," said Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez.

Dr. Castro added, "Hispanics have a great need for assistance in many areas. It is well-known that there is a disparity in access and delivery of health care in minorities compared to the rest of the non-minority population. This is especially true in the Hispanic population."

Dr. Castro began broadcasting the show in 1998 after the former hosts left for Boston, Massachusetts.

"Many of these individuals do not carry insurance, though they are laborers/workers," expressed Dr. Castro. "There is a great need for information, as well as medical care, and this show provides and meets this need."

Dr. Castro touched on the point that language identity is what makes the show successful and connected.

"Many Hispanics do have insurance and are good and loyal patients, but like to have someone who understands them or knows the language; they may have asked these same questions of their doctor but didn't get or understand the answer," Dr. Castro added.

Heather Wolff, marketing specialist for the LLUMC marketing department, responded, "I appreciate greatly the support of Dr. Castro and the wonderful new addition of Dr. Arteaga-Hernandez, who complements him. Our callers have responded greatly to the two, and we will continue to provide community service on this free Latino-based program."

[SCOPE, Summer 2001]